Appotronics Highlights Role of Laser Technology in Automotive Industry at Prestigious US Trade ConferenceA wild first season of the expanded Big 12 is down to what should be a chaotic final weekend. Through all the upsets, unexpected rises and falls, there are nine teams still in the mix to play in the conference championship game. No. 14 Arizona State and No. 17 Iowa State have the best odds, yet a multitude of scenarios could play out — 256 to be exact. There's even the possibility of an eight-team tie. It may take a mathematician to figure out which teams are in the Dec. 7 game in Arlington, Texas — even for the ones who win. Travis Hunter, Colorado. The Buffaloes' two-way star has excelled on both sides of the field, making him one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State. The senior running back can do a little of everything, but excels at punishing would-be tacklers. He's one of the nation's leaders in yards after contact and the focal point of the Sun Devils' offense. Shadeur Sanders, Colorado. If it weren't for Hunter, Sanders might be the Heisman favorite. The son of coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur is fifth nationally with 3,488 yards passing and has been a big part of the Buffaloes' turnaround. DJ Giddens, Kansas State. The Wildcats' running back is one of the nation's most versatile players. He is ninth nationally with 1,271 rushing yards and has added 21 receptions for 258 yards. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona. The Wildcats have struggled this season, but McMillan has not. He is third nationally with 1,251 receiving yards with seven touchdowns on 78 catches. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders' junior linebacker leads the Big 12 with 68 tackles, averaging 10.2 per game. He also has four sacks. Brendan Mott, Kansas State. He's a menace to opposing quarterbacks, leading the Big 12 with 8 1/2 sacks. The Big 12 has nine teams already bowl eligible and two more a win away. The winner of the Big 12 championship game will be in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot. Arizona State, Iowa State, No. 19 BYU, Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia have already clinched bowl berths. Kansas and Cincinnati can get into the postseason with wins this weekend. Gus Malzahn, UCF. Despite successes in recruiting, the Knights are 10-14 in two seasons since moving to the Big 12. Maybe not enough to get shown the door this year, but another mediocre season could lead UCF to make a change. Kyle Whittingham, Utah. Whittingham was one of the Pac-12's best coaches, leading the Utes to consecutive conference titles. Utah was expected to contend for the Big 12 title its first year in the league, but enters the final weekend 1-7 in conference play, which could push Whittingham toward retirement since it's doubtful he'd be fired. Neal Brown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers' coach was in a precarious spot at the end of last season and West Virginia hasn't lived up to expectations this season. The Mountaineers are eligible to go to a bowl game for the second straight season, but Brown could be on the hot seat even after signing a contract extension before the season. Josiah Trotter, West Virginia. The redshirt freshman is the latest Trotter to have success at the linebacker position, following the footsteps of his father, former Philadelphia Eagles player Jeremiah Trotter, and brother Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a current Eagles linebacker. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State. The Michigan State transfer has been just what the Sun Devils' needed: an agile quarterback who extends plays with his legs and rarely makes bad decisions. Bryson Washington, Baylor. The Bears' running back has rushed for 812 yards — 196 against TCU — and 10 TDs. TCU has the Big 12's highest rated 2025 recruiting class with six four-star players among 26 commitments, according to the 247 Sports composite. Receiver Terry Shelton of Carrollton, Texas, is the highest-rated recruit at 71st nationally. Baylor is next with five five-star players among its 20 commitments, including running back Michael Turner, rated 13th at his position out of North Richland Hills, Texas. Texas Tech is ranked seventh in the Big 12, but has four four-star recruits. Get local news delivered to your inbox!LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November’s election: California would play a central role in determining control of the U.S. House. Indeed it did. Democrat Adam Gray's come-from-behind victory over Republican Rep. John Duarte in a Central Valley farm-belt district Tuesday — the final House contest decided this year — gave Democrats their third pick-up of a GOP-held seat in the state, a small victory in a tough year for Democrats nationally. While Democratic wins narrowed the gap in the House, Republicans held their ground in two other toss-up contests that helped the GOP defend its fragile majority in Washington. Republicans won 220 House seats this election cycle , with Democrats holding 215 seats. Despite falling short of a majority, Democrats stressed that the party will gain seats next year, leaving the chamber even more closely divided. “Netting three seats was a very big deal,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, the third-ranking Democrat in the chamber, who lives in Redlands, east of Los Angeles, said in Washington. Democratic enthusiasm was tempered, however, by turnout figures that lagged the 2020 presidential election in the heavily Democratic state, even with Kamala Harris leading the Democratic ticket in her home state. Also, Republicans made incremental gains in the state Legislature. Voters overwhelmingly endorsed a ballot proposal that makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders again and increases penalties for some drug charges amid frustration over retail crimes, a proposal opposed by some Democrats. The election showed Democrats will need to pay closer attention to issues like crime and the cost of living, even in a state where the party holds every statewide office and dominates the Legislature and congressional delegation, Claremont McKenna College political scientist Jack Pitney said. In the House, Democrats “were hoping that California would push them over the top to gain a majority. But their gains elsewhere were not strong enough,” Pitney added, pointing to GOP wins in North Carolina. Gray won by a margin of less than 200 votes, with election officials reporting Tuesday all ballots had been counted. Duarte captured the seat in 2022 when he defeated Gray by one of the closest margins in the country, 564 votes. He was often listed among the most vulnerable House Republicans given that narrow margin of victory in a district with a Democratic tilt — about 11 points over registered Republicans. Gray said in a statement: “We always knew that this race would be as close as they come, and we’re expecting a photo finish this year, too.” In other Democratic House gains, first-time candidate Derek Tran ousted Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California district anchored in Orange County, while Democrat George Whitesides toppled Republican Rep. Mike Garcia is a district north of Los Angeles. In a district east of Los Angeles, Republican Rep. Ken Calvert again held off Democrat Will Rollins in a repeat of their 2022 contest. And Republican Rep. David Valadao kept his grip on a farm-belt seat, despite its heavy Democratic registration edge. The outcome will leave Republicans with nine of the state's 52 U.S. House seats next year. Although California is often seen as a liberal monolith, a string of House districts has proved volatile in recent elections, spotlighting their importance to both parties. Democrats snatched seven seats from Republicans in 2018, then Republicans seized four from Democrats in 2020. In the 2022 elections, Republicans gained one seat, from 11 to 12, while Democrats dropped to 40 seats from 42, after California lost a House seat in reapportionment after the 2020 census. Overall, the state dropped to 52 districts from 53. The state played a pivotal role in securing the gavel for Republicans in 2022 and installing Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield as speaker . Michael R. Blood, The Associated Press
How many of us will be spending time this holiday season at our “third spaces?” Where is your “third space?” Do you even know what that is? The term “third space” describes a place outside your home or work where you can relax and hang out. It’s your “other space” – your favorite place for recreation, socialization or services. For many of us, the church was our family’s third space, or maybe it was the library, or possibly even your local YMCA. Now for many of you – over 1,500 folks in the Midcoast, actually – People Plus has become your third space. (Or if you’re not working anymore, you might even see it as your second space). It’s the place you go where you know you’ll encounter warm and friendly people who are there for like-minded reasons. For example, it could be to get healthy or take a class or have a meal — like a traditional Thanksgiving dinner — surrounded by your community. “When I moved here a number of years ago, my daughter and one college friend were the only people I knew in Brunswick. My husband had passed away, and I was, in essence, starting over,” said Betty Bavor, a People Plus member. “My good friend Jeanne d’Arc Mayo told me I really should join People Plus as a way to make friends and meet people. So I did, and what I found was amazing! The Center was bustling with activity and filled to the brim with people who seemed to be having a great time! Over the last decade, I have joined the writing group, the lunch volunteer crew, the Mah-Jongg players, and participated in many of the exercise classes, plus all the parties, trips, and lunches. I’m at People Plus nearly five days a week and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m not sure what I would’ve done without the People Plus Center and all of the lovely people who have become my closest friends.” And as we approach the new year, we invite you to come see People Plus and try it out as your third space — if you don’t already. I look around the Center sometimes and I’m just amazed by everything we have going on here and how many different people come through the door. Some organizations give rides, others provide food or home services, some organizations take trips, or play games, or provide medical equipment; and at People Plus we do all of those things and more! We will also check on members when we haven’t seen them come to the Center for several days, we will notice if someone seems to be feeling poorly, and we will pay attention if someone has forgotten something over and over. And we will let their loved ones know about our concern. We’ll often see over 150 folks in a day who might be at the Center for a haircut from Margarita or the international conversation club; to spin wool on a wooden spindle wheel; or to play bridge, cribbage, or Mah-Jongg and become a volunteer. Maybe these folks are having a bowl of free soup on Mondays or grabbing a take-out meal after exercising with 20 or so of their newly found (or rediscovered), friends. And these are friends they probably didn’t have before; new friends that they have made since becoming a member and discovering their third space at People Plus. I helped a woman “Sally” check in last week, and she was clearly very nervous about her first time coming to the Center. She wasn’t sure where to hang her coat or how to sign in, so I walked her down to the “Getting Stronger” exercise class and introduced her to Suzanne the instructor who greeted her warmly and made her immediately feel comfortable and at ease. I told “Sally”, that the next time she comes in she’ll be completely at home and that it’s almost always that first time in the door that is the most challenging and uncomfortable. I reassured her that she’ll be amazed how many people she might already know who come to the People Plus Center – and even if she doesn’t know a soul, she will leave here with friends who will look for her at the Center! So as we enter this holiday season, which is for many folks a time of loneliness — perhaps without friends and family nearby, we invite you to spend time with us at People Plus. You will be thankful that you did and likely a little amazed that after a while, it’s where you will feel like you get tons of services, eat free meals every week, feel comfortable and secure and have many of your indispensable social connections. So come make People Plus your third space, where you can try every activity for free! And we’re guessing you won’t want to leave! Stacy Frizzle-Edgerton is executive director of People Plus. Giving Voice is a weekly collaboration among four local nonprofit service agencies to share information and stories about their work in the community. Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « PreviousThe incident allegedly happened at the Starbucks Convenience Center at 199 Lincoln Road West in Vallejo, just off Highway 80 about 45 miles north of the San Francisco International Airport, according to Vallejo Police Department Sgt. Rashad Hollis. The suspects took personal belongings but left the band’s instruments, according to the group called Sports Team. “They can take our Nintendo Switches, but they can never take our ability to play rock songs about motorways,” the band wrote. According to the band’s posting, the group stopped for coffee about 10 minutes after arriving in the area. While they were ordering coffee at Starbucks, they said a man ran inside to tell them some guys were breaking into the van. “Ran out to try to stop and find masked guys ransacking the van,” the band reported. When they shouted at them to stop, the suspects pulled out a gun, according to the band. In a video posted on social media Tuesday morning, one of the members can be heard yelling “Get down!” to his bandmates and then pleading for someone inside the convenience store to “ring the police!” The band members can also be heard talking about the robbers taking a “bag” and a laptop. The group have a concert date Tuesday in Sacramento, which they said they plan to keep. Locals at the scene were apparently not surprised, according to the group. “In all seriousness pretty shocking how resigned everyone seemed to be to it,” the band wrote. “It happens 9 a.m. at some petrol station Starbucks. Wild.” Police were called but allegedly told the band to “submit an online report,” though that might have been the result of a miscommunication between the 911 caller and band members who posted on social media. The Vallejo Police Department explained that the person who called 911 was asked multiple times by the dispatcher if the suspects were armed and if a gun was pointed at anyone, and the caller said they were not sure. “No one was able to confirm there was a firearm,” Hollis told The Epoch Times. “So, based off of what was reported as a smash-and-dash—that’s a vehicle burglary. No life was in imminent danger.” Vehicle burglaries usually require victims to file an online report, according to Hollis. To complicate matters, the Vallejo police department responded to another call right after the alleged vehicle break-in. The second call involved a barricaded suspect wanted for assault with a deadly weapon that required a SWAT response, which drained the department’s resources. That call didn’t end until 3 a.m. Wednesday, Hollis said. Sports Team’s next show is set for Dec. 7 in San Francisco, followed by two others.
2024 was an interesting year in music — one that perhaps foreshadows the future of music-listening habits. As we move further away from monoculture, and people's musical listening experiences are increasingly curated by algorithms, ubiquitous songs that everyone from grandparents to their grandchildren know are becoming rare gems. In that way, a list looking at the top 100 Canadian songs of the year is more representative of the music that rose above the fray in each respective genre, rather than simply the most popular songs. The 15 best Canadian albums of 2024 A committee of CBC Music producers considered streaming numbers, record sales, cultural impact and artistic merit when putting this list together, with an emphasis on highlighting artists from all 13 provinces and territories. Songs released between Nov. 1, 2023 and Oct. 31 were eligible for the list. It's a big endeavour that gives us a small snapshot of the year in music. From the rap beefs that kept people glued to their phones to the songs with messages about social change amidst an increasingly uncertain world, this year was full of singles that got people talking. Scroll through the list to discover the songs that made us dance, sing along and, most importantly, stop and think in 2024. 100. 'Beautiful Neighbourhoods,' Braden Lam Braden Lam's inviting voice rings out over gentle guitar and vibraphone on "Beautiful Neighbourhoods," a timeless single that hums with warmth and longing. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Oct. 9 ) 99. 'Tides,' Gnarwhal Yellowknife band Gnarwhal fuses alt-rock and progressive metal on this fuzzed-out track that hits like a wall of sound while lead singer Mark Kilbride chants prophetic lyrics. 98. 'Mr. Rain,' Joce Reyome "Mr. Rain" is a grooving blues number that finds Charlottetown-based Joce Reyome begging the rain to stay away, and in turn keep her woes at bay. 97. 'Shine Your Light,' Echoes Of... feat. Naja P and Maazes Echoes Of..., a collective of musicians and producers who live in Iqaluit, teamed up with Naja P and Maazes for this serene, but uplifting, mood stabilizer. 96. 'You've Got Gold,' Hendrika "You've Got Gold," an empowering song about the magic in everyone, builds and builds until Hendrika unleashes the full powerhouse quality of her voice. 95. 'Devil Talking,' David Myles A soulful rave-up from this master of entertainment from Fredericton, N.B., complete with sweet backup vocals from Reeny. Kellie Loder, the East Pointers, David Myles lead 2023 East Coast Music Award winners 94. 'Jiujitsu,' Merv xx Gotti Merv xx Gotti's glimmering, guitar-driven bedroom pop hits its peak on "Jiujitsu," a charming, mildly nonsensical song about going through the motions. 93. 'I Feel Alive,' Art d'Ecco A wild, brassy, glam-rock dance-a-thon courtesy of this Victoria rocker on a rapid rise. 92. ' The Raven and the Dove,' Old Man Luedecke A total sound departure from this Juno-winning banjo man from Chester, N.S., in that there is no banjo to be heard on this Afie Jurvanen-produced electro-indie makeover. 91. 'Sunrise Roulette,' Jordan Astra The slinky production and swinging drums of "Sunrise Roulette" gets shoulders shimmying and toes tapping, while Jordan Astra sings about hitting the road, gambling with more than just money and losing track of the moments in between. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Sept. 25 ) 90. 'I Believe in Love (And It's Very Hard),' Rose Cousins Few artists can move you from tears of sorrow to fits of laughter in one song, album or live set, but Rose Cousins can — and she does it effortlessly on "I Believe in Love (And It's Very Hard)." 89. ' Vibrations,' Mick Davis and Thin Love This was the most popular song of 2024 for seven straight weeks on CBC Music's Top 20, thanks to the unabashed energy these Newfoundland rockers pour into it. 88. 'You,' Wolf Castle feat. Zamani Pabineau First Nation rapper Wolf Castle's R&B collaboration with Halifax's Zamani goes down real smooth, as "You" blooms into a gorgeous song about romantic devotion. ( Songs You Need to Hear, May 8 ) 87. 'Ayoye,' Sarahmée Senegalese Canadian rapper Sarahmée's single "Ayoye" is packed with explosive energy and boisterous bars, as she melds hip-hop, Afrobeat, reggae and electronic sounds. 86. 'Ghost,' Sebastian Gaskin With immense gusto, Sebastian Gaskin sings straight from their soul over sweeping, bombastic beats as they learn to accept that although they'll never see the person they lost again, their spirit is always near. ( Songs You Need to Hear, May 1 ) 85. 'Wake Up,' Backxwash "Wake Up" is a shining example of Backxwash's evolution: a seven-plus-minute epic, the track serves up an industrial metal soundscape as Backxwash turns out gospel-inspired verses, fighting through every line with heavy determination. ( Songs You Need to Hear, April 24 ) 84. 'El Cosechero,' Lhasa de Sela feat. Yves Desrosiers This posthumous release from the Félix and Juno Award-winning singer Lhasa de Sela is a stirring folk number sung in Spanish. 83. ' Quviasukkuvit (If It Makes You Happy),' Elisapie Elisapie's stripped-down cover of Sheryl Crow's 1996 mega-hit "If It Makes You Happy," translated into Inuktitut, creates a warm, soft update titled "Quviasukkuvit." 82. 'Redneck Rehab,' Corb Lund Corb Lund infuses this country track with some stomp-clap-hey sensibilities as he sings about trying to ditch some unhealthy vices. 81. 'Buffalo,' the OBGMs The rip-roaring punk-rock single "Buffalo" reveals a tenderness to the OBGMs, as lead singer Densil McFarlane laments the end of a relationship: "Used to drive me to the show/ now we don't even talk at all." 80. 'Jungle,' Lou Phelps Wealth is the name of the game on "Jungle," a booming track from Lou Phelps where he raps about dripping in "Diesel, Kiko, acne" and everything in between. 79. 'Pon My Mind,' Bolu Ajibade "If you lost, I'll find you/ puzzled, I will solve you," sings Bolu Ajibade to a new love interest on this sultry Afrobeats tune that's filled with passion. 78. 'Evening Dream,' Mo Kenney This Dartmouth, N.S., singer-songwriter has a knack for steady melodies and choruses that pull on the heartstrings, and "Evening Dream" is one of their best. 77. 'Get to You,' Begonia Yearning is central on Begonia's moody pop single "Get to You": "And I can't contain don't even try/ like a star up in the sky you're an explosion," she sings as she burns for a lover. 76. 'Babyboo,' Sylo, Nonso Amadi "Keep holding on, keep holding on, I'm there with you," sings Sylo before his and Nonso Amadi's vocals intertwine on this blissful R&B love song. 75. 'Live,' DijahSB and Veggi DijahSB gets celebratory while romanticizing the grind, bringing their signature charm and humour to each verse: "Playing with the heat like Bron in his prime." 74. 'Come Out,' Aysanabee feat. Raye Zaragoza Gentle guitar and Aysanabee's soaring vocals generate warmth on "Come Out," a tender ode to lovelorn strangers seeking connection. 73. 'Seven Ponds (live),' Sina Bathaie Sina Bathaie's immersive live performance of "Seven Ponds" flows beautifully and spotlights the multi-instrumentalist's knack for injecting his electronic music with the sounds of his Iranian heritage. 72. 'Chabakrou,' DJ Karaba, Kawtar Sadik This sizzling house song blends Kawtar Sadik's rich singing with DJ Karaba's tropical beats for a transportive, summery listen. 71. 'Pathways,' Julian Taylor feat. Allison Russell Julian Taylor and Allison Russell's voices blend together effortlessly on this rootsy number about romance: "I'll be there as we grow older," Taylor sings, offering a love that's eternal. 70. 'Goon,' Dear Rouge Slick guitar and edgy vocals bring a defiance to Dear Rouge's electrifying track that aptly describes the moment when unwanted male attention at the bar goes too far. 69. 'Proppa Ghanda,' King Cruff, Banx & Ranx Rapper/singer King Cruff, a grandson of Bob Marley, teamed up with Quebec's hitmakers Banx & Ranx for one of the catchiest earworms of the summer. 68. 'Shake,' pHoenix Pagliacci This soulful single from pHoenix Pagliacci is supremely enthralling, speaking to the uncertainty and dread many people feel looming overhead. 67. 'Botoxxx,' Isabella Lovestory Isabella Lovestory's tongue-in-cheek lyricism — joking about Botox freezing her face so no one can tell she's sad — amps up the fun on this high-octane, neo-perreo track. ( Songs You Need to Hear, May 8 ) 66. 'Silver Lining,' Claudia Bouvette Claudia Bouvette is Montreal's rising alt-pop tour de force, and her song "Silver Lining" makes space for sadness while still breaking free of its stranglehold. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Oct. 9 ) 65. 'Neon Signs,' the Weather Station Toronto's Tamara Lindeman tells a story of controlled confusion on "Neon Signs," the lead single off her forthcoming album, Humanhood , set for release in early 2025. 64. 'Back for More,' Liza and Tobi The old-school R&B of this duet from Toronto artists Liza and Tobi is a perfect hit of early aughts nostalgia, as they sing about irresistible attraction. 63. 'Silencio,' Patrick Watson feat. November Ultra Patrick Watson's characteristic, whispered falsetto is captivating on this song about the power of allowing silence in, and how it can make you a better listener. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Oct. 23 ) 62. 'The Angel and the Saint,' Goldie Boutilier A new beginnings anthem for anyone in need of one, "The Angel and the Saint" is Goldie Boutilier's celebration of her own grit and perseverance after years of hardship. 61. 'Pain or Pleasure,' Moonshine feat. Amaal Nuux, Aluna, Vanyfox In this infectious tune, batida (an electronic genre created by Lisbon's African immigrant community) and R&B meet to encourage increased heart rate, hip-swaying and bodies melting together on the dance floor. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Nov. 22, 2023 ) 60. 'Slide,' SadBoi With a nostalgic beat that evokes "Tokyo Drift" by Teriyaki Boyz, and braggadocious lyrics that will make anyone feel like the hottest person in the room, "Slide" is the song to listen to while getting ready for summer exploits. ( What is this year's song of the summer?, June 26 ) 59. ' Spiralling Out,' Softcult Softcult sisters Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn create a sound that feels like a happy memory from the late '90s on this latest track. 58. 'Get Back Again,' the Tragically Hip Long considered the holy grail of unreleased Tragically Hip songs, this touching ballad was recorded for 1991's Road Apples but was ultimately left in the vault until this year. Its staying power and beauty are undeniable. Gord Sinclair reworks unreleased Tragically Hip song for charity: listen 57. 'Daydream,' Billianne The Milton, Ont., pop-folk singer premiered "Daydream" live on NBC's The Today Show , with an endearing performance that captures the song's playfulness, her serene vocals playing tag with acoustic and electric guitar, drums and a resonant harp. ( Songs You Need to Hear, May 1 ) 56. 'My Forever,' Sophie feat. Cécile Believe This previously unreleased track appeared on British producer Sophie's posthumous self-titled album, and it's a touching ode to a close friend that takes on new meaning following Sophie's death, with Cécile Believe cementing their friendship in song: "I want to go back to forever/ you'll always be my forever." 55. 'Feeling Alive,' Jayda G "Feeling Alive" builds on the euphoric feeling peppered throughout Jayda G's 2023 album, Guy , leaning into an even more upbeat dance sound. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Aug. 14 ) 54. 'Hey Mom I Made It,' Sacha The empowering song details the emerging country singer's journey of personal growth and healing: "Yeah, I've been through hell and back again and I'm still standing," she sings on the explosive, infectious chorus. ( Songs You Need to Hear, May 1 ) 53. 'Bomb,' Kelly McMichael Newfoundland-based singer Kelly McMichael blew up summer with this awesome '90s throwback indie rocker that lands somewhere between Liz Phair and Sloan. 52. 'About Us,' Maggie Andrew In this pop-punk song about domestic violence, the Halifax singer and 2024 Searchlight winner shows off her ability to craft an earworm while delivering heartbreaking material. CBC Music's Searchlight 2024: the winners 51. 'Magpie,' Peach Pit Vancouver indie pop-rock group Peach Pit comes roaring in with the title track from its 2024 album, delivering a chef's kiss of a live show sing-along. Watch Peach Pit's delightful post-rainstorm performance at CBC Music Fest 50. 'Love Like That,' Jonita, Ali Sethi "Love Like That" is a stirring merger of American pop with Indian folk — specifically, 13th-century Qawwali rhythms — as Jonita and Ali Sethi's vocals soar on this duet about embracing an ideal love full of devotion. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Jan. 24 ) 49. 'Fortnight (Blond:ish Remix),' Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone While Taylor Swift's original track builds drama through its subtle soundscape, the sonic stakes are raised on Juno-nominated DJ/producer Blond:ish's official remix. ( Songs You Need to Hear, June 5 ) 48. 'Shine', Ardn feat. SiR Edmonton rapper Ardn teams up with American R&B singer SiR for a slow jam about rising above life's challenges. 47. 'Explode,' Mother Mother Mother Mother siblings Ryan and Molly Guldemond lean into the push and pull of loving too much and never knowing when to let go — until things explode, which they appropriately yell on the head-banging chorus. Song Cycle: How Mother Mother's 'Hayloft' was made 46. 'I Got You,' Devon Cole "I Got You" is an aspirational friendship model that the Calgary singer wrote for herself, but Cole's sweet vocals and that catchy melody will get anyone hooked. 45. 'Manic Pixie Pacifist,' Haleluya Hailu Over bright synths, cheery guitar and vibrant drums, Haleluya Hailu gives an indie-pop nod to one of the best-known character tropes in film: the manic pixie dream girl. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Feb. 21 ) 44. 'Cave,' Wild Rivers Knowing you need to leave a relationship is not the same as actually leaving but, while you're in limbo, Toronto folk-pop trio Wild Rivers has just the right blues-inflected song for you. 43. 'Validate,' Clairmont the Second Clairmont the Second's dexterous lyrical ability is on mighty display on "Validate," a song that starts with sirens ringing out and an unforgettable bar: "I cannot f--k with no frauds/ street's cold but I never shiver." ( Songs You Need to Hear, Nov. 6 ) 42. 'Hooked,' Zeina In English, Arabic and French, Zeina sings about all the ways she's infatuated with her lover, uplifted by an earwormy melody that samples Shawn Desman's snappy early aughts track "Shook." ( Songs You Need to Hear, Jan. 10 ) 41. '2wice Again,' Planet Giza "2wice Again" slides between R&B and hip-hop with ease, as MC Tony Stone infuses every lyric with charm and an old-school feel to the jazz-tinged beats that give the song an air of timelessness. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Feb. 21 ) 40. 'Body,' Lokre Leaving hyper independence behind, Lokre flits between soaring high notes and languid, deep tones effortlessly, as she recounts all the ways her love is blossoming and expanding for her new partner. ( Songs You Need to Hear, April 3 ) 39. 'Off With Her Tits,' Allie X "An upbeat borderline ridiculous satirization of particularly agonizing thoughts that never give me a break," Allie X wrote when she released this electro-pop song that builds and builds until everyone is screaming the title. 38. 'Let it Rain,' Valley The alt-pop trio deliver a downtempo hit of nostalgia on "Let it Rain," with twinkling bursts of piano that sound like raindrops splattering on the ground. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Aug. 28 ) 37. 'Easy to Miss,' Mackenzie Porter A country-pop ballad for the broken-hearted, "Easy to Miss" enumerates all the hard things after a breakup — except for the missing. 36. 'Confusion Song,' Luna Li A lush pop meditation on the breakup recovery period, written during a time of big changes for Luna Li after she broke up with her partner of eight years, and moved from Toronto to Los Angeles. ( Songs You Need to Hear, May 22 ) 35. 'Need Nothing,' Katie Tupper The dulcet tones of "Need Nothing" are a balm, and Saskatoon's Katie Tupper is at her best when she's leaning into sweetness. ( Songs You Need to Hear, March 6 ) 34. 'Here to Stay,' Boy Golden Winnipeg guitar slinger Boy Golden delivers a stripped-down toe tapper that would slide perfectly into a barn dance playlist. Introducing Boy Golden, your new favourite country outlier 33. 'In Montreal,' Kaïa Kater feat. Allison Russell "In Montreal" is Kaïa Kater's nod to Leonard Cohen, Kate and Anna McGarrigle and "all the other incredible songwriters of Montreal" — elevated by two voices of folk music's future. ( Songs You Need to Hear, April 3 ) 32. 'Fur Elise,' Faouzia The Carman, Man., artist gives the classic Beethoven composition a modern twist in this heartwrenching song where she begs her lover to "play me like my name is Fur Elise/ lie to me and say you'll never leave." 31. 'Ridin',' Jessie Reyez feat. Lil Wayne This pearl-clutching rock-R&B number with highly suggestive lyrics, and a particularly raunchy verse from Lil Wayne, isn't for the faint of heart . ( Songs You Need to Hear, Sept. 4 ) 30. 'Laminate the Sky,' Ombiigizi Daniel Monkman and Adam Sturgeon of Ombiigizi use the flimsy, laminated treaty cards they received in their youth as a symbolic motif on "Laminate the Sky," a psych-rock song exploring freedom of movement, expression and self. 29. 'In Emerald,' Wyatt C. Louis "In Emerald" is a musical postcard from a trip Wyatt C. Louis took to Seattle — a country-tinged folk song co-written with Nixon Boyd (Hollerado) and beautifully enhanced with pedal steel guitar played by Matt Kelly (City and Colour). ( Songs You Need to Hear, Jan. 24 ) 28. 'No Chill,' PartyNextDoor The Toronto R&B star flexes his vocal acrobatics over this moody track where he tries to show love to someone, but admits: "Ever since I copped you all that ice you got no chill." The 5 best songs PartyNextDoor has written for other artists 27. 'One Last Dance,' Baby Rose and BadBadNotGood BadBadNotGood provides a wistful backdrop for Baby Rose's lovelorn melodies, delivered through her achingly soulful voice. 26. 'In 2 Deep,' Chikoruss Montreal newcomer Chikoruss isn't afraid to chase a girl who's in a relationship in this glossy 2000s R&B-inspired number. 25. 'Bucket,' Ruby Waters On "Bucket," Ruby Waters' voice is playfully elastic, stretching up as she tries to entice a lover to get into trouble with her before admitting she's burning the candle at both ends. ( Songs You Need to Hear, April 3 ) 24. 'Black Ice,' Rezz x Subtronics Two EDM powerhouses reunite for this chilling, nocturnal anthem, which takes listeners on a few exciting and unexpected turns. Meet Rezz: the Canadian producer making 'eery and grungy' EDM hits 23. 'Corazón,' Nelly Furtado feat. Bomba Estereo "Corazón" is a celebration of Latin drums and sticking to your guns, and Nelly Furtado's defiant lyricism is emboldened by the explosive percussion of Colombian supergroup Bomba Estereo. ( Songs You Need to Hear, July 17 ) The story of maternal solidarity behind Nelly Furtado's new single, 'Corazón' 22. 'Did Life Work Out for You,' Charlotte Cardin "Did Life Work Out for You" is a tender song, with pared-back piano and shimmering guitar chords as Cardin sings with a mild country twang, reminiscing on a summer fling that perhaps could have been something more. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Sept. 11 ) 21. 'Dead Man,' Alessia Cara "Dead Man" is a tragic song about an ill-fated romance, and over a jazz-inspired drumbeat and bright bursts of horns Alessia Cara wonders: "If you really care, then why am I feeling you slip right through my hands?" ( Songs You Need to Hear, July 24 ) 20. 'To the Dancefloor,' Debby Friday "To the Dancefloor" is a call to all the club girls who believe anything can be solved with a night of hedonistic release, as Debby Friday delivers an anthem for surrendering to your desires and letting the rhythm take you. ( Songs You Need to Hear, April 24 ) 19. 'Red Future,' Snotty Nose Rez Kids feat. Electric Fields "We them ground movers, earth shakers, no saviour. While they preying on us, we been building something greater," Snotty Nose Rez Kids rap on this powerful anthem that reminds the next generation that the future is in their own hands. 18. 'Spit,' Bambii feat. Beam and Lady Lykez Bambii gets raunchy and feral on "Spit" — the synths ring out like sirens, the drums hit at hyperspeed and the reverberated bass creates a nocturnal atmosphere. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Aug. 14 ) 17. 'My Way,' Charlotte Day Wilson The sleek opener to Charlotte Day Wilson's sophomore album, Cyan Blue , "My Way" is both unabashed in its R&B swagger and in the Toronto artist's starkly honest songwriting. Video Experience the soulful sounds of Charlotte Day Wilson live! 16. 'Who's Gonna,' Lu Kala The addictive bassline in "Who's Gonna" officially opened the door to rising pop star Lu Kala's funk era, and an unexpected sax solo really brings the song home. ( Songs You Need to Hear, May 15 ) 14. 'Bora Bora,' AP Dhillon feat. Ayra Starr A transportive track that fuses traditional Punjabi music with tropical Afrobeats grooves, from two rising stars in global music. ( Songs You Need to Hear, Sept. 4 ) 14. 'Takes One to Know One,' the Beaches Hot off the heels of their first Polaris Music Prize shortlist nomination, these Toronto rockers released an honest look into the messy layers that unravel as a relationship advances. ( Songs You Need to Hear, July 17 ) 13. 'How Far Will We Take It?,' Orville Peck feat. Noah Cyrus Noah Cyrus's voice beautifully complements Orville Peck's signature baritone on this sombre ballad, one of many standout duets on the latter's album, Stampede . How a duet album with friends helped Orville Peck return to music The year of yeehaw: 5 Canadian country music moments that shaped 2024 12. 'All I Want is You,' Cindy Lee A perfect encapsulation of what it feels like to yearn for someone, as Cindy Lee's Patrick Flegel admits in the most simple yet heartbreaking line: "All I've got is the truth/ all I want is you." A quick guide to Cindy Lee's Polaris-shortlisted album, Diamond Jubilee 11. 'Honey,' Caribou An irresistible, pulsating bassline drives one of Caribou's most rave-worthy tracks, complete with a drop that'll land listeners into a blissful state of euphoria. 10. 'Antidote,' Karan Aujla Karan Aujla's "Antidote" is like a reflex test — if your body doesn't respond immediately upon hearing this song, are you even alive? The Punjabi Canadian artist got his start writing songs for other artists, but since his 2018 breakthrough, Aujla has proven his own star power as a vocalist as well. His voice is mesmerizing and the production on "Antidote," courtesy of Ikky, perfectly conveys the song's push-pull that lives in every antidote — tempting fate and then trying to survive the aftermath. Watch Karan Aujla and Ikky bring a Punjabi pop explosion to the Juno stage 9. 'It's OK I'm OK,' Tate McRae Although Tate McRae was barely alive at the time, she's really leaning into the Y2K resurgence with "It's OK I'm OK," where her coy vocal delivery and the banging 808s would fit seamlessly on a pop-R&B crossover from the early 2000s. Nostalgia is very sexy right now, and modernizing a familiar sound or sample (as she did with 2023's hit single "Greedy") is a surefire bet — and one that's paid off for McRae, to the tune of 130 millions streams on Spotify and counting. The music video takes things a step further with rhinestone mania, low-rise denim and trucker hats à la Simple Life , but most clearly, the choreo seems like an homage to Britney Spears at her peak. If there's one thing McRae always delivers, it's visuals that are just as scintillating as her music, and the video has already racked up 24 million views since its release in September. 8. 'Timeless,' the Weeknd and Playboi Carti "Timeless" premiered at the Weeknd's live-streamed São Paulo concert in September, just as he and Playboi Carti were each teeing up new albums. (Spoiler alert: the Weeknd's upcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow , won't be out until January 2025, and Playboi Carti's is still pending.) The collaboration, which is the streaming superstars' second together, opens with an ethereal mix of synths and the Weeknd's falsetto before that smooth, slinky beat drops and Playboi Carti hops on (with a production assist from Pharrell Williams). It's a coming together of two of the most popular artists in the world right now — and the song, which has only been out for two months, has already amassed more than 270 million streams on Spotify, and 25 million on YouTube. 7. 'Heart of Gold,' Shawn Mendes On "Heart of Gold," a standout track from Shawn Mendes's latest album, the pop star sings about a childhood friend who died of an overdose. There's a delayed sense of grief as he sings, "I didn't even feel the pain/ and then it hit me all at once/ when we talked about you yesterday," which nods to the cost of fame and how friendships can fade with time and distance. But on the other side of that heartbreak is an outpouring of love, a gratitude for the time they did get to spend together. "We shot for the stars/ I see you up there," he sings to him. At his best, Mendes's music can hold a multitude of staggering feelings and distill it into something truly beautiful and cathartic. 6 must-hear songs from Shawn Mendes's new album, Shawn 6. 'Family Matters,' Drake May 3, 2024, will be remembered as a pivotal day in rap beef history, marked first by the release of Kendrick Lamar's "6:16 in L.A." and followed up shortly after by Drake's explosive track "Family Matters." A seven-minute trap and drill assault with three beat switches, "Family Matters" solidified that Drake could stand tall in the self-proclaimed "20v1" battle. While directly addressing accusations against him as well as returning pointed shots at Lamar, the Weeknd, Rick Ross, Metro Boomin', A$AP Rocky and more, Drake's fierce lyricism and unrelenting energy were a return to form, captivating fans and swinging the momentum, however briefly, in his favour. Even though he would ultimately lose, he was going to take most of his opponents down in the process. While Lamar's "Meet the Grahams," released less than an hour later and followed up the next day by "Not Like Us," would prove to be too much to come back from, "Family Matters" still stands out as a defining moment. Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar: the juiciest moments in their beef 5. 'Dirt Roads,' Tia Wood Tia Wood honours her Salish and Plains Cree background on "Dirt Roads," a touching tribute to her home in Saddle Creek, Alta. Blending traditional Indigenous singing with a contemporary R&B/pop mix, she uses her striking vocals to evoke nostalgia: "Dirt roads lead me back home," she sings. There's so much heart in every verse and Wood makes you feel the immense joy, fear and hope she's experiencing in real time, as she balances chasing success with staying grounded. Being unapologetically herself is what makes her artistry distinct, and the lyrics about her identity are proof: "Should I take out my braids or leave 'em in?/ They look at me like I'm a Martian." The song appeared on her debut EP, Pretty Red Bird , and its anthemic, moving delivery cemented it as a standout. 'It almost felt unreachable': Tia Wood on pursuing music full-time after TikTok stardom 4. 'Imaan,' Mustafa The beauty of "Imaan" shines in its juxtapositions: Sudanese strings and the Egyptian oud meld with an acoustic guitar as Mustafa sings of a love between "two Muslims journeying through their love of borderless Western ideology and how it contradicts with the modesty and devotion in which they were raised," as described in the press release. "There is nowhere for me to go (there is nowhere for me to go)/ Imaan, you hold/ everything in your palm," Mustafa's gentle voice rises with longing, while Swedish singer Snoh Aalegra steps in with backup vocals that add depth to the song's already rich texture. "Bursting with emotion, 'Imaan' is a seismic followup to 'Name of God' that hints at how affecting Mustafa's forthcoming debut album will be," CBC Music's Natalie Harmsen prophetically wrote in March 2024 when the song came out: Mustafa's Dunya album nabbed the No. 1 spot on CBC Music's " 15 best Canadian albums of 2024 ." On Dunya, Mustafa wants to be remembered correctly Mustafa wins the 2024 Prism Prize for outstanding video 3. 'Stick of Gum,' Nemahsis 2024 was a sink or swim year for Nemahsis, and swim she did. The Palestinian Canadian singer-songwriter says she was unceremoniously dropped by her label in October 2023, after posting about " the occupation of my homeland ." In an interview with CBC Q ' Tom Power , she shared that all her music industry connections cut off contact with her in the following weeks: "I was fully ostracized ... I didn't think there was going to be a future in music." All of this on the precipice of her debut album, Verbathim , that she was worried might be shelved indefinitely. After another label letdown, she and her team made the decision in May to release the album independently, starting with the first single, "Stick of Gum." Her defiance is palpable, as is her disdain for an industry that attempted to cast her aside. The driving guitar melody and buoyant synths rise above the fray, as Nemahsis unleashes layered lyricism about navigating the social politics of desirability and marketability. She filmed the music video in Jericho in the West Bank where her family lives, turning the song into an ode to her homeland as much as it is an indictment of her mistreatment. 2. 'Bloom,' Aqyila Aqyila's dreamy vocals make "Bloom" the sweetest love song released this year. A snippet of the song went viral on TikTok before it was released, and by the time it hit streaming platforms it had already lived up to the hype: majestic instrumentation, complete with a sweeping string intro, brings Aqyila's vision of a healthy relationship to life. "This kind of love is freein' me," she sings on the chorus, tenderly letting her feelings flow. It's the tug of wanting to completely give in to her emotions that propels the song, and she sounds elated to have found a love that is gentle and kind. "Everything you do, how you call my name/ Sunday afternoon, come and make it rain," she sings softly, the ecstasy of the romance taking over and allowing her to be mushy. Q&A 'I was in shock': R&B star Aqyila on winning a Juno after finding viral success 1. 'Witchy,' Kaytranada feat. Childish Gambino Kaytranada and Childish Gambino cast their own spell with this golden-hued R&B ode to the magic of falling in love — the ultimate incantation. "Witchy" could have easily soundtracked Saturday nights at the roller rink in another era, but Kaytra's sorcery here is the ability to make even the most vintage-sounding production feel thoroughly contemporary and fresh. As his alter ego, Childish Gambino, Donald Glover is clearly having the best time, his falsetto twinkling like a meteor shower. The result is a feel-good, star-dusted anthem of the year that conveys one of life's pure pleasures: the dizzying, intoxicating, all-consuming enchantment of being thoroughly under another's thrall. Meet Kaytranada, the dance music producer taking over hip-hop and R&B Kaytranada's 11 most timeless collaborations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, paid tribute to Dr. B R Ambedkar, the primary architect of the Indian Constitution, on his death anniversary. Modi acknowledged Ambedkar's relentless struggle for equality and human dignity, which continues to inspire future generations. Ambedkar, who hailed from a Dalit family, emerged as a significant political figure in India, championing the rights of the underprivileged and marginalized sectors of society. His efforts played a crucial role in shaping modern India's socio-political landscape. Expressing his respect on Mahaparinirvan Diwas, Modi described Dr. Ambedkar as a beacon of social justice. Reflecting on his visit to Chaitya Bhoomi earlier this year, the Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to Ambedkar's vision of equality and justice for all. (With inputs from agencies.)Godaddy chief accounting officer sells $151,409 in stockHamas releases video of US-Israeli hostage in Gaza
Harris: Fine Gael ‘will gain seats’ amid further fragmentation of Irish politics
The US Navy is to transform three, white elephant, stealth destroyers by fitting them with first-of-their-kind shipborne hypersonic weapons. The USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of (the ships) by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defence analyst at the Hudson Institute. The US has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the US military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added manoeuvrability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post newspaper reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defence department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon had previously acknowledged the weapon’s development, it had not recognised its testing. One of the US programmes in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the Conventional Prompt Strike. It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the three Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a 7.5 billion US dollars (£5.9 billion) warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an advanced gun system with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was cancelled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost up to one million dollars (£790,000). Despite the stain on their reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers: Zumwalt, Michael Monsoor and Lyndon B Johnson; remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warships in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimise radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The US is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to US national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities”, said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defence department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said.UK ready for ‘all eventualities’ if Trump launches trade war, says Reynolds
Wild first season in expanded Big 12 comes down to final weekend
Trading platform Robinhood coming to Asia in 2025 with HQ in Singapore
NoneFine Gael won 35 seats in the 2020 election, but 18 of those TDs did not seek re-election in Friday’s poll. An exit poll puts the party’s support at 21%, a fraction of a percentage behind the main opposition party Sinn Fein. Mr Harris, the outgoing Taoiseach, was elected with 16,869 first preference votes, well above the quota. He celebrated with his wife Caoimhe, his parents Bart and Mary, his sister Gemma and his political team at the count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Ahead of his re-election, Mr Harris told reporters he was “cautiously optimistic” about the election result and said it was “clear that my party will gain seats”. “It’s also clear that Fine Gael will top the poll in at least 10 constituencies, many more than we did the last time, that we will gain seats in constituencies where we haven’t had seats in many years, like Tipperary South and Waterford, and that we will add second seats in other constituencies as well,” he said. “I think the people of Ireland have now spoken. We now have to work out exactly what they have said, and that is going to take a little bit of time.” In one of the five consecutive broadcast media rounds he did from the Greystones count centre, he said there were a lot of areas where there were “straight shoot-outs” between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for final seats. He described the Sinn Fein vote as “pretty significantly down”, the Fianna Fail vote as “marginally down” and the Fine Gael vote as “static” compared with its 2020 vote. He said it was “a very close, a very competitive election” and that “we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it”. He said: “It was predicted by many that I would become the Taoiseach for a brief period of time, take over from Leo Varadkar, and then have to rebuild my party from the opposition benches as Sinn Fein led a government. “We don’t know what’s going to happen on government formation yet, but that is now looking less likely than it was.” He acknowledged that it was “a very difficult day” for the Green Party and paid tribute to their work in the coalition government, alongside his party and Fianna Fail. “Definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented,” he said. Fine Gael minister Helen McEntee said that her party’s campaign had been “positive”. “The feeling on the doors was very much that people were relatively happy with the government,” she said on RTE Radio. “It will come down to the last seats and it will come down to transfers,” she said of the final result, adding that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were performing better than the exit poll estimated.Fine Gael won 35 seats in the 2020 election, but 18 of those TDs did not seek re-election in Friday’s poll. An exit poll puts the party’s support at 21%, a fraction of a percentage behind the main opposition party Sinn Fein. Mr Harris, the outgoing Taoiseach, was elected with 16,869 first preference votes, well above the quota. He celebrated with his wife Caoimhe, his parents Bart and Mary, his sister Gemma and his political team at the count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Ahead of his re-election, Mr Harris told reporters he was “cautiously optimistic” about the election result and said it was “clear that my party will gain seats”. “It’s also clear that Fine Gael will top the poll in at least 10 constituencies, many more than we did the last time, that we will gain seats in constituencies where we haven’t had seats in many years, like Tipperary South and Waterford, and that we will add second seats in other constituencies as well,” he said. “I think the people of Ireland have now spoken. We now have to work out exactly what they have said, and that is going to take a little bit of time.” In one of the five consecutive broadcast media rounds he did from the Greystones count centre, he said there were a lot of areas where there were “straight shoot-outs” between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for final seats. He described the Sinn Fein vote as “pretty significantly down”, the Fianna Fail vote as “marginally down” and the Fine Gael vote as “static” compared with its 2020 vote. He said it was “a very close, a very competitive election” and that “we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it”. He said: “It was predicted by many that I would become the Taoiseach for a brief period of time, take over from Leo Varadkar, and then have to rebuild my party from the opposition benches as Sinn Fein led a government. “We don’t know what’s going to happen on government formation yet, but that is now looking less likely than it was.” He acknowledged that it was “a very difficult day” for the Green Party and paid tribute to their work in the coalition government, alongside his party and Fianna Fail. “Definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented,” he said. Fine Gael minister Helen McEntee said that her party’s campaign had been “positive”. “The feeling on the doors was very much that people were relatively happy with the government,” she said on RTE Radio. “It will come down to the last seats and it will come down to transfers,” she said of the final result, adding that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were performing better than the exit poll estimated.
Spruce power director John Miller buys $52,400 in stock